Marion County votes to reinstate Confederate flag

Flag will fly over the Fallen Officers Memorial outside county administration building

OCALA, Fla. – Members of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to reinstate the Confederate flag atop a county building.

The flag will be raised once again over the Fallen Officers Memorial outside the Marion County administration building on Southeast 25th Street in Ocala.

Interim County Administrator Bill Kaufman and Marion County Board Chairman Stan McLain had decided to take down the Confederate flag at the end of June after South Carolina started discussing its laws surrounding the flag at its government centers. The discussion was prompted by the shooting deaths of nine people inside the Emmanel AME Church in Charleston.

Kaufman and McLain's decision was not approved by the Board of County Commissioners, nor did it show up in any agenda.

On Tuesday, board members voted to restore the flag, adding they will be talking with the historical commission for its advice, as well.

About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013. He is one of the station’s lead reporters.
During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.